borsholder

noun

bors·​hold·​er

ˈbȯ(r)sˌhōldə(r),

ˈbȯ(r)ˌsō-

plural -s

1

: the head person of a tithing

2

: a parish officer in Great Britain corresponding to the petty constable

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology (influence of holder) from earlier borsolder, from (assumed) Middle English borwes alder, borghes alder (whence Anglo-French borghesaldre), from (assumed) Middle English borwes, borghes of a tithing (from Middle English borwes, borghes of a pledge, genitive of borwe, borgh pledge) + Middle English alder leader, chief, from Old English aldor, ealdor chief, parent, head of a family

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